DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend is crazy about me. We are both 23 and have been dating only a month. He repeatedly tells me how much he loves and cares about me. Sometimes I feel suffocated.
My problem is I'm not sure if I want to date exclusively. I am immersed in my studies and hope to establish myself in a great job -- my lifelong dream. What should I do? -- GRACIELA IN BRAZIL
DEAR GRACIELA: Your boyfriend may be on the up-and-up, but pushing for a quick, exclusive commitment is one of the warning signs of an abuser. Tell him to put on the brakes because this romance is moving too fast for you. Explain, straightforwardly, what your goals are, and how you hope to pursue them. They may -- or may not -- be compatible with his. But at least you'll have a clearer understanding of how you both want to live your lives.